JMP for Process Engineers in Semiconductor Manufaturing
Updated September 30, 2015
JMP for Process Engineers in Semiconductor Manufaturing
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Software Version
JMP Pro
Overall Satisfaction with JMP
JMP is a software suite utilized by a handful of engineers in our Semiconductor manufacturing facility. It competes directly with another alternative that many have converted to but I have found JMP to be much more intuitive and friendlier to manipulate and analyze data that I specifically promoted and was granted a user license. We have scores of data on our products that we manufacture, the process is extremely complex and JMP helps to build insight quicker into the problems we face on a daily basis.
- Semiconductor Manufacturing Process data is not always statistically compatible, meaning classical statistical approaches are insufficient to recognize anomalies and discrepant product that could deteriorate customer satisfaction. Process data often requires an experienced eye to observe the historical trends graphically, and I've come to rely heavily on JMP's ability to simplify graphing while also enabling continued manipulation and analysis of the data through the graphical interface. I can quickly highlight discrepant material, modify the display characteristics, redisplay, update, republish....and the cycle continues until I have a clean set of data that is intuitive and insightful.
- My JMP use is "ALWAYS" closely tied with MS Excel because raw data manipulation within JMP is rather cumbersome and clunky. The freedom and flexibility that Excel offers allows me to organize the data easier then when I'm ready I export the data set to JMP for analysis. If I didn't have Excel to assist in building the data set, I don't know how long it would take me to become proficient in JMP. Were JMP to adopt the flexible features that Excel has for housing data and manipulating arrays, then I wouldn't even need to use Excel...the distinct advantage in my mind of JMP over Excel is its analytic and graphic features but JMP's limitation is its rigid requirements for data structure and the high hurdle for common Excel users to work with data in the bounds JMP requires.
- I do many repetitive tasks in JMP, I wish the ability to build a script from my operations was easier and more intuitive. Many users are either unaware of the scripting capabilities or afraid to begin learning about the features because the learning curve is too steep. Some efforts to cater the power of scripting to the less astute audience will build more loyal followers and further widen the customer base.
- As I reflected over the use of JMP from the past several years, I realized that JMP is usually a tool used in tandem with another. The more independent JMP can become to perform more tasks the less I rely on secondary software applications and ultimately the greater cost advantage for the organization because it could reduce licensing fees for software tools that support its operations. Typically I must query a database for the data, manipulate it with MS Excel, then export the queried information into JMP for analysis and display...this is 3 sets of software that I must navigate before I can actually make a decision on what the data is telling me. If JMP could query a database better, allow easier data manipulation then an organization would only need to purchase the JMP license as a complete solution to its organizational needs.
MS Excel is good for manipulating data and providing flexible data arrays, but has serious deficiencies in its graphical displays and analytic capabilities. This is where JMP has its greatest advantages...see some of my previous comments, but I see these software applications working well in tandem and not independently of each other.
- JMP has allowed myself and other engineering peers to solve process problems faster and identify issues that lead to customer dissatisfaction.